M.D. of Willow Creek votes to join Federation of Canadian Municipalities

By Rob Vogt
The Municipal District of Willow Creek has voted to join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, an organization that advocates on behalf of all municipalities to the federal government.
The decision came after a discussion at the M.D. council’s Aug. 9 meeting that started in open session before continuing behind closed doors.
Coun. Earl Hemmaway questioned what the M.D. received from joining the Federation of Canadian Municipalities compared to the amount it pays to be a member.
He pointed out the M.D. received nothing the last time it was a member.
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg said whether the M.D. is a member or not, they receive reports about the FCM from Rural Municipalities of Alberta, which is the provincial advocacy organization for rural municipalities.
“We do get the information we need from it,” she added.
Hemmaway added when the M.D. was a member, he did not see the Federation of Canadian Municipalities concerned about issues facing Western Canada.
Sandberg asked administration if they saw any benefit to joining the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Chief Administrative Officer Derrick Krizsan said the M.D. receives a number of grants from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, mostly regarding asset management, and continues to apply for grants from them.
He noted the Federation of Canadian Municipalities receives funding from the federal government it then distributes to municipalities.
Council asked what the cost top join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is.
Krizsan said the fee is $1,900, but the M.D. has received grants of $50,000 to $70,000.
Hemmaway said that comes from not being a member, and asked if that would increase if the M.D. is a member?
He also still observed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities seemed to be more eastern than western focused.
Krizsan said there is a western caucus within the Federation of Canadian Municipalities now.
Coun. Glen Alm said he talked with representatives of Rural Municipalities of Alberta who belong to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
He observed they have expanded western effectiveness and noted the more western members the better to support them and the issues they are advocating for.
“It will help them have a stronger voice,” Alm said.
The item was then deferred to closed session.
After that discussion at the end of council’s meeting, they reverted to open session and agreed to join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.